Chapter Seventeen: Stains That Will Never Wash Off
Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.-- Mahatma Gandhi
Camp was broken very early, they continued at their pace, as if demons were on their heels. Perhaps there was. Everyone's face held a sign of determination. They would get to Helm's Deep before it was too late. They would not go down without a fight. There was a feeling in the air, a heaviness, the smell of a storm that was brewing. Rhiannon observed those among her. At the front rode the King and Eomer. Besides Eomer was Aragorn. Legolas and Gimli rose not far ahead of Brhagdan. Gandalf for the time being rode next to Legolas but was slowly making his way to where the King rode. They had just encountered one very beaten man who said there was no hope ahead. He had been given a horse so that he could ride with them to Helm's Deep.
Suddenly Gandalf stopped. He looked towards the sky, looking both north and west. His eyes then came back to the people in the group. The old king, the new heir, the Man who would be king, the dwarf that was now elf-friend, the prince of the Woodland realm who exhibited very un-elf like behavior, the part-elven male that would soon find himself at quite a crossroads. And then there was Rhiannon, she was much like dear Frodo. This time would change her forever, and knowing that the future held much danger, she would not turn from it. Why is it that the most pure always have to face the most darkness? Gandalf knew what he had to do, now was not his time to travel to Helm's Deep. He had others he needed to meet.
" 'Ride, Theoden! Ride to Helm's Deep! Go not to the Fords of Isen and do not tarry in the plain! I must leave you for awhile. Shadowfax must bear me now on a swift errand.' Turning to Aragorn and Eomer and the men of the king's household, he cried: 'Keep well the Lord of the Mark, till I return. Await me at Helm's Gate! Farewell!'"
With that the White Rider went off towards his errands. The others watched him leave, and then continued on their way, heeding the wizard's words.
***
Night had fallen, Rhiannon was starting to feel tired, and knew that the night was far from over. Legolas and Aragorn were now riding next to Eomer. Brhagdan not that far behind. Rhiannon was scared, there was no moon light, no starlight in the sky. They finally reached Helm's Dike. Rhiannon and Gimli both looking forward to the point when they would be able to get down off the horses. The sentinel at the Gate was glad to hear that the king and the Riders of the Mark had come. He informed them that within the caves, women and children resided. The riders all came off of their horses, the reality that a battle was near reigned heavy in the faces of all. Eomer quickly set about of arranging the soldiers on the Deeping Wall, the main part of the fortification that the servants of Saruman would face.
Rhiannon had never seen Gimli so happy. The stone of this fortification seemed home to him. She listened as he spoke to Legolas, very funny conversation. Gimli praising the loveliness of the stone. Rhiannon almost snorted when Legolas called dwarves "strange folk."
"And when, Master Elf, did you decide that elves were so normal? We come back to the mismatching of the eyebrows and the hair on your head. Most unnatural."
"That does bother you."
"Very much so."
Legolas gave a sigh and fingered his bow. He was obviously uncomfortable here. He had even voiced his dislike of the place but stated he was happy that Gimli was happy. Brhagdan called Rhiannon to him as Legolas and Gimli were called by Aragorn to go to the Deeping Wall. Before she left, Legolas gave her a look, almost pleading,
"I would feel more at ease if you went into the caves, for your safety."
Rhiannon shook her head, "I do not like caves, neither do you."
"You will be safe there."
"You are so sure of that. Do not worry about me. I am quite good at saving myself, as much as I have trouble using weapons."
Legolas gave a small smile, and then, quite surprising to Rhiannon, planted a soft kiss on her lips. As soon as she felt the action Legolas was hurrying off towards the Wall. The action only drove Rhiannon to reflect on the vision she had last night. One of her future, one with the elf, and it was not happy. She only remembered snatches,
*It is to tempt fate!*
*Do I not mean that much to you!*
*You can not ask this of me!*
*Why do you fear this! It is your fate, Rhiannon!*
Rhiannon was pulled out of her memories as Brhagdan called for her, more forcefully then before.
***
Brhagdan shot a glance at his sister, her fear was obvious on her face. She did not want to go down into those caves, no matter how much carnage she may have to witness above ground. "Rhiannon, I have never seen you act like this before. Why do you fear the caves?"
She shook her head lightly, a vacant expression coming over her features, her mind was no longer here. It was no longer in Helm's Deep, in the now sudden rain, it was off somewhere else, seeing something that he could not pick up on. When she went like this, it scared him, she was there physically, but the rest of her was somewhere else. Those damn powers, when would they stop interfering with her life? There was only one way she could become in full control of them; Rhiannon feared that path too much to tread it. And yet one day. Brhagdan glanced up at the wall where Legolas stood, preparing for the battle that was about to occur, readying his bow. Next to him stood Gimli, trying desperately to see above the ridge of the wall. Would Legolas be the key? It was very possible, and considering how he and Rhiannon were already connected, it would be the most logical solution. But would Rhiannon let herself become what she was truly meant to be? Would she allow herself to become that dependent on another, that emotionally weak? He glanced at his sister, now returning to this world, she gathered her strength about her, a determined look on her face. He had seen that face many times in his life; the face of a little girl that insisted she needed to know how to climb trees, even though she was in a dress that made it very difficult. The defying expression of a young girl realizing she would live forever, while many around her would die. The face of a young woman, who, as she laid in a healing bed, would not let her powers, the gifts that she saw as a curse, destroy her. That was the face she now had, and that was the face Rhiannon got when the only acceptable way, was her way.
"I feel danger coming to those caves, I will not go down there. And in all honesty, no one else should be allowed down there. The woman and children should be as far away from the wall that faces the dike, as is possible. These people have such pride in their fortress, insisting it can not fall, can not be breached. Saying those words tempts fate, you and I both know the folly of them. I will not go down to those caves and hide with those that are helpless, and honestly no able-bodied female should be down there. Those that have the power to fight should; there should be no segregation based on sex. However, this realization shall not be for a very long time. Only elves tend to have the warrior females; and they are leaving this earth."
Brhagdan raised a dark eyebrow, "The point of your rambling was?"
"I'm staying above ground, there is nothing you can do about it. Tell the other males to deal with it also. All of you have shielded me from the grim realities of war for far too long. I may not be of much help, but the little help I can provide may be part of a deciding factor."
Brhagdan gave her a discerning look, "Rhiannon, do not try to use your powers, not here, not know."
Rhiannon shook her dark hair, her green eyes flashing in the sudden lightning, giving her an ethereal appearance, "I would not even consider it. I can help deliver additional pieces of weaponry to those that may need it, help get the injured out of the way before they get killed. I will not actually fight unless I am deliberately attacked. Does that suit you my brother?"
"What would suit me is for you to not even be here. We should have had you stay at the Golden Hall with Eowyn. Or maybe you should have gone with Gandalf, wherever he traveled to on this night. Either way, I would not have you here."
"You can not protect me forever, frater (brother). I have to face all that is in the world at some time. I promise you that I am stronger than I seem."
"You are and you aren't. I have faith in you, but I would rather know you are safe."
"We are never truly safe, Brhagdan, you know that. A person can live through many trials and battles, and all the problems thrown their way. Then, while just going on a walk, they can suddenly be struck down by what ever higher power that watches over us. They could be in the prime of their youth, or in the winter of their time. Death does not care who and what you are when it comes for you. Therefore, I am as safe here then in the Golden Hall, or with Gandalf, or even at our home. If now is my time to go, or yours, then so be it. The world will go on, time will progress, and the insignificant absence of us in this world will not matter."
"When did you become so morbid and almost sullen?"
"Since I left the realm of the nymphs. Realization has come to me."
"You saw part of your future last night. When the rest were sleeping, when Legolas suddenly went to you, you saw part of your future last night."
Rhiannon did not say anything but nodded her head. "You know, out of all, that the simplest action can change one's life." He told her.
"Not this one, it was already predicted by the Lady of the Wood. Given to Gandalf to give to Legolas."
"And what did she tell Legolas?"
"In the simplest terms, when he hears the call of Seagulls, he will no longer be content in this land, no longer content to dwell in the forest. He will have the call of the Sea, the longing for Valinor, and that is all that will be in his heart, until he can travel there."
As she spoke these words, the rains started to come down harder, the thunder pounding louder, almost as if to echo the raging emotions going through Rhiannon's mind. The sounds of the Uruk-hai could be heard, pounding their weapons on the packed dirt. The whole moment seemed to be out of a nightmare. Brhagdan, knowing he did not have the time he wanted to reassure his sister, gave her a quick kiss on her now wet forehead, and ran to the top of the fortification to prepare for the battle that was ahead.
***
There are moments that occur in our lives that can not be described in pretty words. This is what it was like for those that participated in the Battle of Helm's Deep. Although the men of Rohan were grossly out numbered by the servants of Saruman, they were able to defeat those evil beings on the night that seemed to last forever. The appearance of the White Rider, Gandalf, Mithrandir, whichever name you prefer, put such a fear into the servants of Saruman that they fled in fear. Many fell in the battle of Helm's Deep. Many friendships were forever forged. Aragorn and Eomer forever became brothers bonded by ties stronger than that of blood. Legolas and Gimli, while having a fun game of "How many orcs did you kill?" truly found their brothers-in-arms.
The concern that came over the face of Legolas when both Eomer and Gimli were not to be found was almost heart-breaking. Rhiannon knew the thoughts that had come to his mind, she had watched him through the whole battle. Noting the enjoyment he took in killing the orcs, how the battle almost seemed like a game to him. And in fact, it was. Until Gimli could not be found, and then his thoughts had turned to that of Boromir, and Gandalf when he had fallen. When the orcs had entered parts of the fort, Rhiannon did have to defend herself, and she knew that when she had done that, she had pulled on both the strengths within Legolas and Brhagdan. She had fought without thinking, letting her body control her actions, and suppressing her mind so it could not register the fact that she was taking the life of something. No matter how foul that something was. She knew the orc-blood would never come out of her clothes, the stain of battle never out of her soul. Yet, she knew she needed to face this. Aragorn had found her at one time, and had literally shoved her as far into the fortress as he could, without putting her in the caves. That was a very good thing, considering the fact that the servants of Saruman carried with them a weapon that allowed for a section of the fortress to be decimated. It was quite an explosion, scattering dust, and parts of rocks everywhere. The storm above had rivaled the battle that occurred below. Through most of it Rhiannon was an observer, she had removed as much of herself as she could from the battlefield, trying not to realize all that was around her. This is what Brhagdan had once described to her. He called it primal instincts. The animal inside of us all takes over, the human part resting below the surface. Rhiannon had not felt like herself until the emergence of Gandalf, and until the sun finally made her great appearance. Now they were riding towards Isengard. From there Rhiannon and Brhagdan would go even farther, returning to the Golden Wood, and then to Mirkwood. Rhiannon was both happy and sad that she would soon be separated from those that she had become so close to in the past months. She knew that when they separated at Isengard, they would all be going on to their different fates.
Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.-- Mahatma Gandhi
Camp was broken very early, they continued at their pace, as if demons were on their heels. Perhaps there was. Everyone's face held a sign of determination. They would get to Helm's Deep before it was too late. They would not go down without a fight. There was a feeling in the air, a heaviness, the smell of a storm that was brewing. Rhiannon observed those among her. At the front rode the King and Eomer. Besides Eomer was Aragorn. Legolas and Gimli rose not far ahead of Brhagdan. Gandalf for the time being rode next to Legolas but was slowly making his way to where the King rode. They had just encountered one very beaten man who said there was no hope ahead. He had been given a horse so that he could ride with them to Helm's Deep.
Suddenly Gandalf stopped. He looked towards the sky, looking both north and west. His eyes then came back to the people in the group. The old king, the new heir, the Man who would be king, the dwarf that was now elf-friend, the prince of the Woodland realm who exhibited very un-elf like behavior, the part-elven male that would soon find himself at quite a crossroads. And then there was Rhiannon, she was much like dear Frodo. This time would change her forever, and knowing that the future held much danger, she would not turn from it. Why is it that the most pure always have to face the most darkness? Gandalf knew what he had to do, now was not his time to travel to Helm's Deep. He had others he needed to meet.
" 'Ride, Theoden! Ride to Helm's Deep! Go not to the Fords of Isen and do not tarry in the plain! I must leave you for awhile. Shadowfax must bear me now on a swift errand.' Turning to Aragorn and Eomer and the men of the king's household, he cried: 'Keep well the Lord of the Mark, till I return. Await me at Helm's Gate! Farewell!'"
With that the White Rider went off towards his errands. The others watched him leave, and then continued on their way, heeding the wizard's words.
***
Night had fallen, Rhiannon was starting to feel tired, and knew that the night was far from over. Legolas and Aragorn were now riding next to Eomer. Brhagdan not that far behind. Rhiannon was scared, there was no moon light, no starlight in the sky. They finally reached Helm's Dike. Rhiannon and Gimli both looking forward to the point when they would be able to get down off the horses. The sentinel at the Gate was glad to hear that the king and the Riders of the Mark had come. He informed them that within the caves, women and children resided. The riders all came off of their horses, the reality that a battle was near reigned heavy in the faces of all. Eomer quickly set about of arranging the soldiers on the Deeping Wall, the main part of the fortification that the servants of Saruman would face.
Rhiannon had never seen Gimli so happy. The stone of this fortification seemed home to him. She listened as he spoke to Legolas, very funny conversation. Gimli praising the loveliness of the stone. Rhiannon almost snorted when Legolas called dwarves "strange folk."
"And when, Master Elf, did you decide that elves were so normal? We come back to the mismatching of the eyebrows and the hair on your head. Most unnatural."
"That does bother you."
"Very much so."
Legolas gave a sigh and fingered his bow. He was obviously uncomfortable here. He had even voiced his dislike of the place but stated he was happy that Gimli was happy. Brhagdan called Rhiannon to him as Legolas and Gimli were called by Aragorn to go to the Deeping Wall. Before she left, Legolas gave her a look, almost pleading,
"I would feel more at ease if you went into the caves, for your safety."
Rhiannon shook her head, "I do not like caves, neither do you."
"You will be safe there."
"You are so sure of that. Do not worry about me. I am quite good at saving myself, as much as I have trouble using weapons."
Legolas gave a small smile, and then, quite surprising to Rhiannon, planted a soft kiss on her lips. As soon as she felt the action Legolas was hurrying off towards the Wall. The action only drove Rhiannon to reflect on the vision she had last night. One of her future, one with the elf, and it was not happy. She only remembered snatches,
*It is to tempt fate!*
*Do I not mean that much to you!*
*You can not ask this of me!*
*Why do you fear this! It is your fate, Rhiannon!*
Rhiannon was pulled out of her memories as Brhagdan called for her, more forcefully then before.
***
Brhagdan shot a glance at his sister, her fear was obvious on her face. She did not want to go down into those caves, no matter how much carnage she may have to witness above ground. "Rhiannon, I have never seen you act like this before. Why do you fear the caves?"
She shook her head lightly, a vacant expression coming over her features, her mind was no longer here. It was no longer in Helm's Deep, in the now sudden rain, it was off somewhere else, seeing something that he could not pick up on. When she went like this, it scared him, she was there physically, but the rest of her was somewhere else. Those damn powers, when would they stop interfering with her life? There was only one way she could become in full control of them; Rhiannon feared that path too much to tread it. And yet one day. Brhagdan glanced up at the wall where Legolas stood, preparing for the battle that was about to occur, readying his bow. Next to him stood Gimli, trying desperately to see above the ridge of the wall. Would Legolas be the key? It was very possible, and considering how he and Rhiannon were already connected, it would be the most logical solution. But would Rhiannon let herself become what she was truly meant to be? Would she allow herself to become that dependent on another, that emotionally weak? He glanced at his sister, now returning to this world, she gathered her strength about her, a determined look on her face. He had seen that face many times in his life; the face of a little girl that insisted she needed to know how to climb trees, even though she was in a dress that made it very difficult. The defying expression of a young girl realizing she would live forever, while many around her would die. The face of a young woman, who, as she laid in a healing bed, would not let her powers, the gifts that she saw as a curse, destroy her. That was the face she now had, and that was the face Rhiannon got when the only acceptable way, was her way.
"I feel danger coming to those caves, I will not go down there. And in all honesty, no one else should be allowed down there. The woman and children should be as far away from the wall that faces the dike, as is possible. These people have such pride in their fortress, insisting it can not fall, can not be breached. Saying those words tempts fate, you and I both know the folly of them. I will not go down to those caves and hide with those that are helpless, and honestly no able-bodied female should be down there. Those that have the power to fight should; there should be no segregation based on sex. However, this realization shall not be for a very long time. Only elves tend to have the warrior females; and they are leaving this earth."
Brhagdan raised a dark eyebrow, "The point of your rambling was?"
"I'm staying above ground, there is nothing you can do about it. Tell the other males to deal with it also. All of you have shielded me from the grim realities of war for far too long. I may not be of much help, but the little help I can provide may be part of a deciding factor."
Brhagdan gave her a discerning look, "Rhiannon, do not try to use your powers, not here, not know."
Rhiannon shook her dark hair, her green eyes flashing in the sudden lightning, giving her an ethereal appearance, "I would not even consider it. I can help deliver additional pieces of weaponry to those that may need it, help get the injured out of the way before they get killed. I will not actually fight unless I am deliberately attacked. Does that suit you my brother?"
"What would suit me is for you to not even be here. We should have had you stay at the Golden Hall with Eowyn. Or maybe you should have gone with Gandalf, wherever he traveled to on this night. Either way, I would not have you here."
"You can not protect me forever, frater (brother). I have to face all that is in the world at some time. I promise you that I am stronger than I seem."
"You are and you aren't. I have faith in you, but I would rather know you are safe."
"We are never truly safe, Brhagdan, you know that. A person can live through many trials and battles, and all the problems thrown their way. Then, while just going on a walk, they can suddenly be struck down by what ever higher power that watches over us. They could be in the prime of their youth, or in the winter of their time. Death does not care who and what you are when it comes for you. Therefore, I am as safe here then in the Golden Hall, or with Gandalf, or even at our home. If now is my time to go, or yours, then so be it. The world will go on, time will progress, and the insignificant absence of us in this world will not matter."
"When did you become so morbid and almost sullen?"
"Since I left the realm of the nymphs. Realization has come to me."
"You saw part of your future last night. When the rest were sleeping, when Legolas suddenly went to you, you saw part of your future last night."
Rhiannon did not say anything but nodded her head. "You know, out of all, that the simplest action can change one's life." He told her.
"Not this one, it was already predicted by the Lady of the Wood. Given to Gandalf to give to Legolas."
"And what did she tell Legolas?"
"In the simplest terms, when he hears the call of Seagulls, he will no longer be content in this land, no longer content to dwell in the forest. He will have the call of the Sea, the longing for Valinor, and that is all that will be in his heart, until he can travel there."
As she spoke these words, the rains started to come down harder, the thunder pounding louder, almost as if to echo the raging emotions going through Rhiannon's mind. The sounds of the Uruk-hai could be heard, pounding their weapons on the packed dirt. The whole moment seemed to be out of a nightmare. Brhagdan, knowing he did not have the time he wanted to reassure his sister, gave her a quick kiss on her now wet forehead, and ran to the top of the fortification to prepare for the battle that was ahead.
***
There are moments that occur in our lives that can not be described in pretty words. This is what it was like for those that participated in the Battle of Helm's Deep. Although the men of Rohan were grossly out numbered by the servants of Saruman, they were able to defeat those evil beings on the night that seemed to last forever. The appearance of the White Rider, Gandalf, Mithrandir, whichever name you prefer, put such a fear into the servants of Saruman that they fled in fear. Many fell in the battle of Helm's Deep. Many friendships were forever forged. Aragorn and Eomer forever became brothers bonded by ties stronger than that of blood. Legolas and Gimli, while having a fun game of "How many orcs did you kill?" truly found their brothers-in-arms.
The concern that came over the face of Legolas when both Eomer and Gimli were not to be found was almost heart-breaking. Rhiannon knew the thoughts that had come to his mind, she had watched him through the whole battle. Noting the enjoyment he took in killing the orcs, how the battle almost seemed like a game to him. And in fact, it was. Until Gimli could not be found, and then his thoughts had turned to that of Boromir, and Gandalf when he had fallen. When the orcs had entered parts of the fort, Rhiannon did have to defend herself, and she knew that when she had done that, she had pulled on both the strengths within Legolas and Brhagdan. She had fought without thinking, letting her body control her actions, and suppressing her mind so it could not register the fact that she was taking the life of something. No matter how foul that something was. She knew the orc-blood would never come out of her clothes, the stain of battle never out of her soul. Yet, she knew she needed to face this. Aragorn had found her at one time, and had literally shoved her as far into the fortress as he could, without putting her in the caves. That was a very good thing, considering the fact that the servants of Saruman carried with them a weapon that allowed for a section of the fortress to be decimated. It was quite an explosion, scattering dust, and parts of rocks everywhere. The storm above had rivaled the battle that occurred below. Through most of it Rhiannon was an observer, she had removed as much of herself as she could from the battlefield, trying not to realize all that was around her. This is what Brhagdan had once described to her. He called it primal instincts. The animal inside of us all takes over, the human part resting below the surface. Rhiannon had not felt like herself until the emergence of Gandalf, and until the sun finally made her great appearance. Now they were riding towards Isengard. From there Rhiannon and Brhagdan would go even farther, returning to the Golden Wood, and then to Mirkwood. Rhiannon was both happy and sad that she would soon be separated from those that she had become so close to in the past months. She knew that when they separated at Isengard, they would all be going on to their different fates.